[Marissamom]

<p>congratulations on your special little boy. every baby presents unique challenges and joys, I'm sure that having him come early and the Down's diagnosis both have given you quite a shock, and right now there are a lot of expectations about the future that you're having to re-write as well as the feeding struggles in the present, but I'm sure once things settle down you'll be able to sit back and enjoy your wonderful son. <img alt="goodvibes.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/goodvibes.gif"> for a short NICU stay and a chance to settle in to life with Micah soon.</p>

 

[StellaNuova]

<p>Congratulations on your sweet baby Micah!  That is quite a birth story, what a fast arrival!  It sounds like you are handling the surprise diagnosis with a lot of wisdom and grace. </p>

 

[Neuromancer]

<p>Congratulations!  I'm so glad he is doing well and hope the success with feeding keeps progressing.   You are showing a great deal of grace and strength in your writing here, and I hope you continue to allow yourself to feel whatever you need to feel.  Cry when you need to, and keep taking care of yourself.  All the best!</p>

 

[katroshka]

<p>Your email is beautifully written and gives a great sense of where you and your son are at, and seems like it may help stave off some of the initial questions that people may have that you probably don't want to answer over and over again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Glad to hear things are going well with Micah and that you are getting lots of bonding time with him. Sounds like he is getting a great start to life.</p>

 

[jcregan]

<p>Thanks for answering my question - totally did not have too given that you are kind of busy.  I have been wondering about how that works for months now!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Your email was wonderfully written!  I think that being emotional/crying a lot sounds like a not unexpected response to both the hormones of birth and your unexpected journey.  I am glad you are taking the time to keep yourself rested and healthy as well so that you will be able to heal and help you son through his journey as well.</p>

 

[BeanyMama]

<p>Welcome, Micah!!! Congrats, Mama <span><img alt="love.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/love.gif"></span></p>

 

[wildnewmamma]

<p>Welcome baby Micah- I hope you continue to have and build strength, I cannot even imagine what you are going through right now- just remember that it is a lot to be taking in at once and it's good to hear that you are trying to take care of you the best you can too.</p>

 

[Lyss]

<p>How are you doing, Mama?</p>

 

[DaniTall]

<p>Thanks for asking...I'm doing a lot better.  I managed to get through to almost the end of the day yesterday without crying!  But then exhaustion and overwhelm took over for a little bit.  My husband came home to sleep for the first time last night, so he was able to support me by sharing some of the logistical stuff I had on my plate.  Of course the one night we leave Micah under the care of the nurses, his color started getting pale and they put him on oxygen.  They called to let us know this morning so we wouldn't be alarmed when we got there.  It turns out it's helping with his sleepiness and he's been feeding even better than before.  He pulled out his feeding tub yesterday and the nurses haven't felt a need to put it back in.  The doctor is talking about letting him come home tomorrow!  He can bring oxygen home with him if necessary. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>On Saturday I came down with a fever and violent trembling and ended up in the ER.  They wanted to make sure it wasn't something postpartum related.  After spending most of the day there and being hooked up to all kinds of things, cathetered, etc., they couldn't find anything wrong with me.  My mom was with me the whole time, which was great.  They just sent me home to rest, so I slept most of the day on Sunday, which must have been what my body needed. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>We've been so blessed by our community.  People have brought us the most incredible food every day (how is it possible that every single one of our friends is such a great cook?!) and are getting organized to pick my daughter up from school, clean our house, fix a leaky faucet, etc.  At the same time I learning what my limits are about visitors, how many times I want to tell someone how I'm feeling, and who I feel like sharing my feelings with.  My mom heard that one thing that can help is to help spread the news of the diagnosis so we don't have to tell people over and over again, and I'm about to send an email to pretty much everyone I know so we can get that over with. </p>

 

[Lyss]

<p>What a lot for you to process - I can't believe you had to go to the ER, too!  I'm so glad you have a supportive community there for you.  I'm glad Micah is doing so well - it's great he's off the tube and eating!  And that you could have DH there to help you.  You are so strong.</p>

 

[mylilmonkeys]

<p>I'm glad you have so much support!  That sounds like a really good idea to send out a mass email.  It has to be difficult to keep going over the same information again and again.  Please take care of yourself!  Micah needs a healthy mama!  That's exciting that he may be able to come home soon.  </p>

 

[Mayfly]

<p>Oh Mama, you've been through so much, so fast! It's wonderful that you are getting help and support and that you are aware of your limits-that can be so difficult once you are a mother. It's so exciting that he may come home so soon! I'm keeping you all in my thoughts.</p>

 

[Lousli]

<p>Congratulations on the birth of your son!  I know NICU time can be so hard, especially with another child at home, but it does sound like you've got a great support system in place.  We struggled with feeding a lot with my first two, who were 36 and 33 weeks, and for Micah to be off the feeding tube already sounds like amazing progress!  I hope you're feeling better and getting the rest that you need, and when the time comes that you have the energy for it, I'd love to see some pictures of Micah. </p>

 

[DaniTall]

<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.mothering.com/content/type/61/id/572512/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="P3010147.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="23265" data-type="61" src="http://www.mothering.com/content/type/61/id/23265/width/1000/height/500" style="; width: 1000px; height: 500px"></a><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.mothering.com/content/type/61/id/572516/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="P3010137.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="23266" data-type="61" src="http://www.mothering.com/content/type/61/id/23266/width/1000/height/500" style="; width: 1000px; height: 500px"></a><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.mothering.com/content/type/61/id/572518/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="P3020163.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="23267" data-type="61" src="http://www.mothering.com/content/type/61/id/23267/width/1000/height/500" style="; width: 1000px; height: 500px"></a><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.mothering.com/content/type/61/id/572520/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="P3010150.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="23268" data-type="61" src="http://www.mothering.com/content/type/61/id/23268/width/1000/height/500" style="; width: 1000px; height: 500px"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here are some pictures, finally!  We are home now, woohoo!  Though we got almost no sleep last night.  Hopefully he's just getting adjusted.</p>

 

[crayfishgirl]

<p>He is adorable, Danielle!  I'm so glad that Micah is finally home, and that you are on the mend as well (so scary, and one more thing to worry about!).  Its great to hear that you have such a great support system in place too, and that it sounds like they are organizing themselves (or that someone other than you has taken the lead on organizing)!  I hope that now that you are all together at home things will settle down and you can start getting to know your precious little son.</p>

 

[Sandrine]

<p>Awesome news that he's already home!!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>He's adorable. </p>

 

[katroshka]

<p>Cuteness!!!!</p>

 

[Marissamom]

<p>he looks so sweet!</p>

 

[Squrrl]

<p>Such a sweetheart!  Also, I love the welcome home sign...so sweet.</p>

 

[StellaNuova]

<p>Omg, he's super precious! Thanks for sharing the pictures of your cutie!</p>